September is here, and we skipped posting on Monday since it was Labor Day. Hopefully you weren’t working on the holiday either. Of course the news never quits. This week we saw two big shifts of ownership at some top restaurants. Look for another Texas hot spot coming to Denver. Then in Vail, two metro area concepts have plans to open up there. This month brings some fresh eats too, and an even fresher hopped IPA.
Read on for more of this week’s top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Chef Andrea Frizzi has parted ways with Vero and Tammen’s Fish Market in Denver Central Market. This departure comes on the heels of closing his 17-year-old restaurant Il Posto in February (now housing Carne). Last week the chef announced his new project, Cucina Fantasma, which will run out of a ghost kitchen at Georgie’s Denver in LoDo.
The good news, both venues will continue on. However Vero revamped the menu thanks to culinary consultant John Fischer. Now diners can find an array of dishes including Spaghetti and Meatballs ($16), Pasta Carbonara ($18), and El Jefe pizza ($18), which features shrimp, ricotta, mozzarella, red onion, capers, parmesan, and charred lemon. The Mexican-style pizza harkens to Fischer’s background of cooking in Tulum.
In other big news, Sage Hospitality acquired Mercantile Dining & Provisions in Union Station. While founding chef and owner Alex Seidel still maintains shares, it will be run by the group, who also boasts Denver Milk Market, Kachina Cantina, Call Me Pearl, Urban Farmer, and more. Seidel will still run his other concepts, Fruition and Chook Chicken as normal. Chef Alex Grenier will continue leading the kitchen at Mercantile.
Chefs and co-owners Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee bring their Texas hot spots NADC Burger and Sushi by Scratch Restaurants to Larimer Square in downtown Denver. The sushi spot is a small, 10-seat omakase experience with 18 courses. For the burger joint, the chefs will offer the Not a Damn Chance Burger, which is a wagyu cheeseburger Lee made in collaboration with professional skateboarder Neen Williams. Opening date TBD.
The lauded Poulette Bakeshop in Parker recently explained a shortage of cacao beans is the reason for raising the price of its Valrhona Chocolate items. Stating the global crisis of climate change as why it’s harder to grow and source cacao, owners Alen Ramos and Carolyn Nugent said the production costs for their chocolate products have skyrocketed. Now, things cost upwards of 40-percent more, meaning the consumer cost for Poulette’s chocolate croissants, eclairs, chocolate ducasse, and other chocolate-based treats will rise.
After just a few weeks open, Xiquita in Uptown has launched happy hour. Enjoy a spread of tlacoyos, doraditos, picaditas, esquites, tacos, and more. It’s available Tuesday through Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m. The new restaurant, run by chefs Erasmo Casiano and chef Rene Gonzalez Mendez, pays homage to Mexico City and nixtamalized corn.
Finally, Casa Bonita, that Colorado Disneyland with Mexican food, shared news it will open reservations to the public. Come September 16 we can say, “So long vague email waitlist, and hello endless sopapillas.”
Openings and Closings
Frasca Hospitality Group and Four Seasons Resort Vail have partnered to bring the group’s Tavernetta to the hotel. The second location of the concept, the first being in Union Station, will open come winter. While many things will feel similar, the Vail location will have unique twists and a vastly different space. This comes on the heels of the group’s recent opening of Osteria Alberico in Englewood.
The old Breakfast King off Alameda Avenue and Santa Fe Drive now has a new tenant, La Reyna Azteca (1100 S. Santa Fe Drive). It’s the fourth location for the Mexican restaurant, with two in Aurora and one other in South Denver.
Over in the Cap Hill neighborhood, a charming cafe dubbed The Secret Garden has opened up in the historic Tears-McFarlane House. It’s a simple set up open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., serving light shareable bites, salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards. There’s also a coffee, tea, wine, beer, and cocktail menu.
On the Menu
Want a taste of the Smashing Pumpkins and Few Spirits collaboration? Just in time for the concert next weekend, Pony Up in downtown Denver will be pouring the bourbon and making specialty cocktails with it. Bonus, on Saturday before the Coors Field show, head to the bar to pregame with a celebratory happy hour.
Bruto’s menu is changing with the seasons. Chef Byron Gomez said goodbye to peas as he shifted his tasting menu over to fall-forward highlights. Reservations are now available for October seatings. Leven Deli Co. also prepares for fall by bringing back pumpkin whoopie pies. And as usual, Tap & Burger has a burger of the month by chef Carrie Baird. This time it’s called the Slammin’ Salmon Burger and comes with a salmon patty, sharp cheddar, lemon-garlic aioli, and corn and avocado salsa on a Harvest Moon potato bun.
Torchy’s Tacos released its popular special tacos The Hogfather and The Cougar as permanent menu items. The taco chain also made news by adding a vegan taco to the menu, dubbed the Fo Sho, as well as a trio of new dips, tater tots smothered in queso, and a breakfast burrito.
Since 1987 the West End Tavern has served Boulder diners, and now it has a fresh new look and menu. The renovation added more space inside while also providing extra seats. On the menu you’ll find the West End Philly, a throwback to the venue’s pandemic The Cheesesteak Project. Also on the menu, fried pickle spears, grilled Korean BBQ beef skewers, and smoked artichoke dip.
Now Pouring
FlyteCo Brewing just released a fresh hops brew called Hop is my Co-Pilot. Brewers and co-owners Jason Slingsby and Eric Serani actually flew to Billy Goat Farm in Montrose to pick hops early in the morning, and brought them back the same day to brew.
Events In the News
Taste an array of brown spirits on Saturday, September 7 during Whiskies Of the World Denver. With over 150 distilleries to try, it’s worth the $125 general admission price tag. The event runs from 6:45 to 9:30 p.m. and includes light bites and a souvenir glass. The VIP tickets get you exclusive pours and a 45 minute lead time, plus the GA perks, all for $175. Tickets as well as the full pour list and VIP pours can be found at whiskiesoftheworld.com.
Fishing the Good Fight launches its annual Green Line Music Festival on Saturday, September 7 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at BARBOX at Aspen Grove in Littleton. The event raises money for various men’s mental health organizations. This year expect live music from Taylor Maxwell and Chris Depew, as well as food trucks, family activities, fly fishing vendors and more. Purchase the $25 tickets here.
Another hot booze event comes thanks to Boulder Spirits, releasing its 2024 Trail Magic series, Leave No Trace American single malt, as wells as the 2024 Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The event takes place on Saturday, September 7, at Vapor Distillery (5311 Western Ave. Boulder) from 2 to 7 p.m.
On Sunday, September 8, head to Coperta for its themed Little Italy night. Expect comfort foods in the Italian-American category, inspired by the iconic neighborhood in New York City. Reservations are encouraged, which can be made at copertadenver.com.
Nocturne celebrates its second community matinee performance on Sunday, September 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Families can come see the Matt Fuller Quartet live for $10 per person (as long as one member of the party is under the age of 18). Purchase tickets at nocturnejazz.com.
